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A Vibrant Platform At The Service Of Cluster Organisations

The European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP) is an action of the Cluster Internationalisation Programme for SMEs funded under COSME launched by DG GROW of the European Commission in 2016.
The ECCP provides networking and information support for clusters and their members aiming to improve their performance and increase their competitiveness through trans-national and international cooperation.

About Cluster Organisations

This is the stage on which cluster organisations present themselves - their structures, services, experiences and above all, their interest in cooperation with peers. We invite you to explore this diverse cluster community, identify your potential cooperation partner and show the world what you are good at - by profiling your organisation !

What is ESCP-4i?

The European Strategic Cluster Partnerships – Going International (ESCPs-4i) are transnational cluster partnerships that develop and implement a joint internationalination strategy and support SME internationalisation towards third countries beyond Europe.

What are ESCPs ?

The European Strategic Cluster Partnerships have been launched by the European Commission as effective means of supporting cross-border collaboration for the benefit of SMEs with the ultimate goal of boosting economic growth and competitiveness in Europe.

About matchmaking events

ECCP organises inter-European matchmaking events, as well as opportunities for you to meet your peers from other countries – either in EU or abroad. Find also additional international matchmaking opportunities promoted here.

About European Cluster Initiatives

As an information hub, ECCP collects and structures a wide variety of information relevant for cluster organisations from various European programmes and initiatives like the ones below.
These are supporting in different ways the interaction between clusters and for driving the competitiveness of European businesses. We offer you here the unique opportunity to find out more about the most relevant cluster-related projects and what you can learn from them. Or, why not, cooperate with them!

Japan

EU-Japan cluster collaboration is well established since 2008. The EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation offers services to European and Japanese clusters to help them identify potential cooperation partners in the reciprocal regions (matchmaking missions, thematic focus…).

Based on close economic ties and through a stable and fruitful business and innovation environment, bilateral trade is well established between Japan and the EU, and is notably focused on some high-technology sectors.

Japan has a clear cluster strategy, and offers a number of cluster programmes on a national and regional level. These programmes have allowed for a rich cluster community to develop, as well as the creation of the novel concept of “Knowledge Clusters”, which refers to a system for technological innovation. Knowledge clusters are organised by a local initiative around universities and other public research institutions with original R&D topics, as well as companies.

Economic and political context and framework

As a highly developed economy and a major global trader and investor, Japan is an important partner for the EU. Japan is considered as one of the most innovative economies in the world. In terms of important sectors for business, EU exports to Japan are dominated by a few high-technology sectors such as motor vehicles, machinery, pharmaceuticals, optical and medical instruments, and electrical machinery and exports from Japan to the EU are also dominated by machinery, electrical machinery, motor vehicles, optical and medical instruments, and chemicals.

Diplomatic relations between the EU and Japan are well developed, and trade and industrial policy dialogue are ongoing. The Directorate-General (DG) for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs has been working with the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) on an industrial policy dialogue since 1998. The aim is to further develop regulatory convergence and solve regulatory hurdles. The cooperation allows for better mutual understanding of respective policies, particularly relating to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and government procurement. Negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement between EU and Japan are ongoing (already 13 rounds of negotiations since 2013).Read less.

Cluster community in the country

The Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) has developed a mapping tool that provides information about the industrial clusters (major companies, related research institutions, main sectors, etc.) in various regions of Japan, and various sectors (mainly Automobiles and Transport Equipment, Aircraft, Food manufacturing, ICT, Electronics, Life Sciences, Environment and Energy, Service, Tourism).

Japan benefits from an important cluster landscape (at least 45 cluster organisations in 2013). The cluster organisations were all initiated and funded by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) or the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).

Most Japanese clusters appear to have international activities, sometimes in the form of international cluster cooperation, and often with Europe. In terms of innovation, a category has been created and distinguished from other clusters, the “Knowledge clusters” defined as a system for technological innovation, organised by a local initiative around universities and other public research institutions with original R&D topics, as well as with companies. Moreover, an important part of the other cluster organisations has identified increasing R&D as an objective and mission of the cluster.Read less.

Cluster policies encouraging the development and internationalisation of clusters

Cluster Plans have been implemented and adjusted by the Japanese Government to become effective policies for regional innovation and job creation. The cluster policy in Japan is strongly dedicated to growth in industrial sectors and innovation.

Japan has a clear cluster policy implemented by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and also by regional authorities.

Japan has a clear cluster policy implemented by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and also by regional authorities.

The METI has established an industrial cluster policy since 2001 (20 Industrial Cluster Projects launched within the first period until 2005 which aim to enhance the competitiveness of Japan through industrial clusters.) The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) has also launched several projects supporting cluster development over the last few years.

International cooperation in the field of cluster policy takes a strong importance in Japan. All cluster initiatives have dedicated tools or programmes aiming at encouraging international cooperation.Read less.

Cluster to cluster cooperation opportunities and potential interest from European clusters and SMEs

EU-Japan cluster cooperation is well established since 2008 (“EU-Japan Regional Cluster Forum”).The EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation was established in 1987, under the joint initiative of the European Commission (DG Enterprise and Industry) and the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). The centre organises matchmaking missions to Japan for EU Clusters, notably thematic mission.

A new service of the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation called the Japan Technology Transfer Helpdesk has been established, dedicated at supporting primarily EU SMEs in finding promising technologies originating from Japanese universities and research centres (ongoing survey).

An MoU was signed between ECCP and the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation in 2012, showing that the EU-Japan cluster cooperation is clearly already well established.

The EU-Japan Centre is currently calling for applications for its next ICT Mission and Partnering Event in Japan in May. ICT mission and partnering event in Japan / Dates: 08-11 May 2018 / Application deadline: 22 February 2018 This mission is managed by the EU-Japan Centre and funded by the European Commission. New this year! The ICT Cluster/SME support mission will be organised in May on the fringes of...Read more

The analysis report prepared by the European Cluster Collaboration Platform, the preparatory briefing on Japan , is available! This report is the result of the collection of relevant cluster information in the country, including business and sector trends, cluster policies and programmes, as well as a cluster mapping. Please find the preparatory briefing here . We invite you to visit the International...Read more

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Achievements

TECHTERA is the French innovation cluster for textiles and flexible materials of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region, French leader of the sector. Since its creation in 2005, the cluster fosters cooperation between France and Japan in textiles. 2016 was no exception. As part of the Memorandum of Cooperation signed in 2014 by the French and Japanese ministries of economy, the Japan Chemical Fibers...

With its strong links woven over many years with Japan, TECHTERA wanted to develop its services through its first technology and trade mission in Tokyo, which was held from January 18 to 22, 2016. The topics covered concerned healthcare, welfare, senior citizens and sport. The six participating companies had discussions with the management of a private medical centre and were able to meet trade...

ESCP-4i News

The kick-off meeting of EU-TEXTILE2030 European Project was held on February 8 th 2018 in Ontinyent, Spain. The project is co-funded by COSME – Clusters go International program from the European Commission and it has the following objectives: To consolidate the European cluster of Advanced Textile Materials To develop a cooperative internationalization strategy To securing, strengthening and extending the competitiveness of European SMEs in the sector at international level. ATEVAL and AEI Tèxtils are partners of the project, being ATEVAL the...

The bioXclusters plus project, as the European Strategic Cluster Partnership on Personalised Healthcare, supported by the EASME’s COSME programme, launched on January 1 st 2016, is today reaching an end. The four partners of the clusters’ alliance have ended the year 2017, with a nice agenda of events dedicated to internationalization . First, they co-organized the 2 nd edition of the EU-Japan Biotech Partnering event , in Osaka on October 10 th , with the EU Japan Centre. Then, a C2C session named “Global Gateways for European life science...

As part of the project’s activities, EACP-ABROAD continues creating a global network of aerospace clusters. On November 15, 2017, during the Dubai airshow, a cooperation agreement was signed with the Dubai South cluster who runs most of the aerospace activities around the new Al Maktoum International Airport. The EACP-ABROAD consortium was represented through its Turkish partner from the Eskisehir Aviation Cluster ESAC while the high-level signatory for Dubai South was HE Khalifa Al Zaffin...